What kind of strings for a Fretless?

[bassplayer60]

I have played fretless basses before, and want to get one again...had a couple different ones but could never really get good tone from them, like one may here on cd's etc.

Am thinking that a lot of the tone comes from effects , like I hear a chorus in it a lot of the times....I hear mwah, i hear growl...

which I notice that rounds can provide most of this, but still something is missing..
could it be the 'sliding'....the rounds seems to be more noisy and have a zing zing to it, but not that smooth slide effect...

Wonder if Flat's or Tapes would help in that department.

Any input at all regarding tone and strings for a fretless would be appreciated.

Vern

[J. Crawford]

I use Chromes on all of my basses, and when my fretless gets here this weekend, Ill have a nice worn in set waiting for it.

Flatwounds, or tapes, for sure.

[Darkstrike]

What kind of tone are you looking for?


A good all rounder string, but very expensive, are TI Jazz Flats, they have the depth and growl of flats, but are still very bright, and mah like heck.

Chromes are also a great flatwound choice, nice tone, with good definition.

I like Dunlop nickle rounds on one of mine, but that has a hardened fingerboard to hold up to rounds.

The main thing though, is what sound you want.....

[LowBSix]

Originally Posted by bassplayer60

I have played fretless basses before, and want to get one again...had a couple different ones but could never really get good tone from them, like one may here on cd's etc.

Am thinking that a lot of the tone comes from effects , like I hear a chorus in it a lot of the times....I hear mwah, i hear growl...

which I notice that rounds can provide most of this, but still something is missing..
could it be the 'sliding'....the rounds seems to be more noisy and have a zing zing to it, but not that smooth slide effect...

Wonder if Flat's or Tapes would help in that department.

Any input at all regarding tone and strings for a fretless would be appreciated.

Vern

If you want the "mwah and growl"... Roundwounds as JACO P used...
If you want more of an upright tone, Flats...

I use Roundwounds on my fretless 5.... An epoxy finish on the fingerboard will save it.... I've owned it for 22 years....

[Billnc]

I like TIJF's.

[73jbass]

I've used Elixirs on my basses for years and love them.Great tone and easy on the fretboard.

[BuffaloBill]

I use Fender 9120 Nylon Tapewounds. I like 'em, and I've been chasing that double bass sound for years.
Bill

[MysticMichael]

Originally Posted by bassplayer60

I have played fretless basses before, and want to get one again...had a couple different ones but could never really get good tone from them...

Please define "good tone". What do you consider "good tone"?...

Originally Posted by bassplayer60

Am thinking that a lot of the tone comes from effects.

No. Not in my experience. No. It comes mainly via 1) setup, 2) strings, and 3) technique.

Originally Posted by bassplayer60

which I notice that rounds can provide most of this, but still something is missing..
could it be the 'sliding'....the rounds seems to be more noisy and have a zing zing to it, but not that smooth slide effect...

Wonder if Flat's or Tapes would help in that department.

What exactly are you asking? What do think is "missing" from the roundwound sound?

Yes, tapewounds or flatwounds will give you a VERY smooth, fluid tone. But in my opinion, there's more "missing" from that tone than there is smoothness missing from rounds - namely midrange definition, presence, growl...and mwah.

Most cats here will probably advise you to go for a traditional fretless tone - which generally means flatwounds or tapewounds. I play roundwounds exclusively - and now that I got my fingerboard epoxied, DR Fat Beams stainless steel roundwounds - which I wouldn't trade for anything - for a nice modern fretless tone that's defined, present - and smooth...

MM

[bassplayer60]

Originally Posted by LowBSix

If you want the "mwah and growl"... Roundwounds as JACO P used...
If you want more of an upright tone, Flats...

I use Roundwounds on my fretless 5.... An epoxy finish on the fingerboard will save it.... I've owned it for 22 years....

Thanks everyone for your input....I think I wanted an explanation as simple as what LowBSix gave me right here.....

[JohnnyB53]

The right string depends on your personal idea of good tone, the styles of music you play, and what works with your specific bass and your personal playing technique.

Having said that, I've never encountered a string quite like the TI Jazz Flats. When I got an ASAT semihollow fretless, I was hoping to get something that at least suggested an acoustic upright. The ASAT strung with Jazz Flats exceeded my expectations. It even sounds more acoustic (with one specific setting) than the sound samples I've heard from some of the purpose-built fretless acoustic/electrics. I love the tonal balance of these. They prove that "warm" doesn't have to mean "boomy" or indistinct. The bass lines are very clear and easy to follow, yet blend with the music. When I set the neck pickup to series, the sustain and fullness is phenomenal and you can play the bass like an organ. Switch to parallel mode and you get a distinct plucked sound with a warm woody tone.

But it doesn't stop there. With the pickups in parallel mode, selecting both PUs or the bridge, and then add the G&L's boost + treble, I get a very credible Jaco sound. The TI Flats plus the electronics of an L2000 or ASAT are a great match to bring out every sound those basses have to offer.

With a soft flat pure nickel wrap and low tension, these strings are extremely easy to play, even with the action raised to accommodate the low tension.

Naturally, if you lean more toward modern and snarly funk and R&B, go for a roundwound. Of those, I like (and have) the Black Diamond Black coated round wounds. Higher tension so you can play low to the board w/o buzz or flap, but bright, rich, full, and sustainy while the coating is easier on the fretboard. I love the tonal balance on these; brighter than flats, great singing treble, but well-controlled tonal balance. You won't have to do a lot of tone control fiddling to dial in a good sound. Both the TI Flats and BD Blacks are tremendous strings; pick the set that fits your style and preferences.

[bassplayer60]

Originally Posted by JohnnyB53

The right string depends on your personal idea of good tone, the styles of music you play, and what works with your specific bass and your personal playing technique.

Having said that, I've never encountered a string quite like the TI Jazz Flats. When I got an ASAT semihollow fretless, I was hoping to get something that at least suggested an acoustic upright. The ASAT strung with Jazz Flats exceeded my expectations. It even sounds more acoustic (with one specific setting) than the sound samples I've heard from some of the purpose-built fretless acoustic/electrics. I love the tonal balance of these. They prove that "warm" doesn't have to mean "boomy" or indistinct. The bass lines are very clear and easy to follow, yet blend with the music. When I set the neck pickup to series, the sustain and fullness is phenomenal and you can play the bass like an organ. Switch to parallel mode and you get a distinct plucked sound with a warm woody tone.

But it doesn't stop there. With the pickups in parallel mode, selecting both PUs or the bridge, and then add the G&L's boost + treble, I get a very credible Jaco sound. The TI Flats plus the electronics of an L2000 or ASAT are a great match to bring out every sound those basses have to offer.

With a soft flat pure nickel wrap and low tension, these strings are extremely easy to play, even with the action raised to accommodate the low tension.

Naturally, if you lean more toward modern and snarly funk and R&B, go for a roundwound. Of those, I like (and have) the Black Diamond Black coated round wounds. Higher tension so you can play low to the board w/o buzz or flap, but bright, rich, full, and sustainy while the coating is easier on the fretboard. I love the tonal balance on these; brighter than flats, great singing treble, but well-controlled tonal balance. You won't have to do a lot of tone control fiddling to dial in a good sound. Both the TI Flats and BD Blacks are tremendous strings; pick the set that fits your style and preferences.

Thanks JohnnyB53...again this is exactly the information I wanted to get...thanks
for reading between the lines for me...

I lean toward the latter Black Diamond strings...that's the tone I would like to acquire.

Thanks again

V